The Plain Mans Spiritual Plow, Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. The Plough wherewith the land of the Righteous is fallowed and prepared.
HAuing before ſpoken of the ſowing of the ſeed, and that it is required, the lande wherein the ſame ſeede is ſowne, ſhould firſt be well fallowed, whereby the tares and weedes may be mortified and ſuppreſſed, that the good fruites might enſue without hindrance: it is now in queſtion with what inſtrument this is to bee wrought and performed. But ſeeing that al things are difficile, and ſo hard, as fewe men can expreſſe them, wee hold him happie, which by the diuine grace is made able thereto: for it is certaine, that the natural man cannot conceiue the things of the holy Ghoſt, as wee plainely ſee in the example of Nicodemus, Ioh. 3.….2.with whom Chriſt diſputed concerning mans Regeneration, teaching him to vnderſtand diuine thinges by the ſimilitudes taken from the truth of things terrene. After whoſe example, wee may againe conſider the Husbandman, how and with what inſtrument hee dealeth in this point of good husbandry, as wherewith the better to eaſe himſelfe & expedite his worke. The chiefe Inſtrument of his Action is that Aratrum, which wee call the Plough, wherein are found fiue generall partes to bee conſidered, as:
Firſt, the Soole, with his members.
Fiue parts of the Plough.Next, the Oxen, which draw it.
Thirdly, the Holder, which directeth it.
Fourthly, the Leader, who allureth it.
Fiftly, the Driuer, wh prouoketh it.
To the which alſo wee may adde one other thing, which thogh not any part of this Plough, yet incident and conuenient to the better preparation of the Land, and that is, the Harrowing: wherein alſo are conſidered three partes: That is:
1. The Hart owes which breake the Clods.Three parts in the har…owing of the Lād.
2. The Horſes which draw.
3. The Driuer, who yoketh them.
Comparable to the which, we hauehave found a …ertaine ſpirituall Plough, and like Harrowes, in …d by the true vſe whereof, the ſpirituall Huſ…ndman may with the more facility and better …eed, effect that which is required, and thereby …uch eaſe himſelfe touching the great paines & …rowes of his handes about the Earth,Gen, 3.17, and 5.…9. which …e Lord had curſed, according to that propheſie Lamech, in the naming of his ſonne Noah, who …erwarde became ſo good a Husbandman. …ow, in the examination of the Parts, let vsus firſt …nſider of the Soule, which is that Inſtrument …erewith being faſtened to the Oxen,The Soule with che parts therof 14. the Huſ…dman rippeth vp his land for the Seede: and …rein we finde (beſides ſome others) fourteene …s or members: as they follow. viz.
1 The Share.
2 The Shippe.
3 The Culter.
4 The Beame.
5 The Tractorie.
6 The ground Riſe.
7 The broad hale.
8 The Round Halt.
9 The Chaine.
10 The farther Wheele.
11 The neere Wheele.
12 The Axell.
13 The Key.
14 The Tawe.
…o the which particular parts and members, ſo many Actions and vertues of Righteouſneſſe and Mercy may be compared. viz.
1 Contrition of the heart.
2 Humility of the Spirit.
3 Confeſsion of the mouth.
4 Maceration of the fleſh.
5 Hope of Remiſsion.
6 Patience in affliction.
7 Conuerſion of minde.
8 Correction of works.
9 Combination of vertues.
10 Meditation of godlineſſe.
11 Continuance of good actions.
12 Inuocation of God.
13 Iuſtification of faith.
13 LoueLove of the Spirit.
A memorandū for the Ploghmen in the field.Loe, in this ſort is the Soole of Pieties Plough framed, as whereby the verie Plough men & labourers in the field, following or beholding the Plough, may eaſily (as by certain Symboles) conſider theit owne condition, and call to memory, thoſe things wherunto the Lord in his word, and by his ſeruants hath inuited, & ſeekes to perſwade them: that being thereby ſooner taught, they may as good Husbandmen, labour in the Lords field, both for his glorie, and their owne commodity. And this that wee may yet better know & remember to obſerue, let vsus be contented to peruſe and examine thoſe particulars.